Grease tool for repacking dual angular contact bearing with grease, and method of using same

ABSTRACT

A grease tool and method for greasing a dual angular contact bearing where the grease tool is fabricated from a single unitary piece of material. The grease tool comprises a cylindrical hub, a flange supported adjacent only one end of the cylindrical hub, and a grease fitting attached to the grease tool to facilitate a supply of grease thereto. During use, a pair of spaced apart O-rings, accommodated by an exterior surface of the cylindrical hub, form a pair of grease seals with an inwardly facing surface of an inner race of the dual angular contact bearing. A supply passage conveys the supplied grease from the grease fitting to a grease outlet(s) located in an exterior cylindrical surface of the grease tool, between the pair of O-rings, for conveyance of the supplied grease radially to the inner race of the dual angular contact bearing and facilitate repacking thereof.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62,355,636, filed on Jun. 28, 2016, which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a grease tool which facilitatessupplying grease to an inner race of a wheel bearing, such as a dualangular contact bearing, in order to replenish the supply of greasewhich is typically required for sufficient lubrication of the ballbearings contained therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A conventional grease tool allows grease to be inserted and displace anyair pockets or other contaminants located within a bearing chamberdefined by the bearing, thereby greatly reducing the possibility ofoutside contaminants entering the bearing and causing premature failureof the bearing. Prior art methods and techniques typically utilize atool that requires access to both sides of the wheel bearing therebyrequiring, precisely machined mechanical assemblies to be mated togetherwith one another from opposite sides. Moreover, they are generally noteasy to insert, typically result in direct metal to metal contact, andrely on a body, a cap or a cover, and a threaded device to fasten thegrease tool components to the bearing which runs the risk of scratchingthe bearing surface and possibly rendering the bearing unusable. In someinstances, the two sides which are assembled together get stuck to thebearing and, thereafter, require forcible removal of the grease toolwhich can lead to damage to the bearing or possibly the housing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Wherefore, it is an object of the present invention to overcome theabove mentioned shortcomings and drawbacks associated with the prior arttools for greasing a bearing.

The presented invention relates to a tool that allows a simple threestep process in order to add grease to a conventional wheel bearing. Thefirst step involves—once access to the wheel bearing is achieved—poppingor inserting the grease tool into the inner race of the wheel bearing.The second step involves connecting a conventional grease dispenser tothe nipple of the grease tool and pumping a supply of grease into thegrease tool. The third step, once a sufficient supply of grease is addedto the wheel bearing, involves popping or removing the grease tool fromthe inner race of the wheel bearing and then reassembling the componentscoupled to the wheel bearing.

The grease tool is generally a single sided tool since there normally isnot any need to have access to both opposed sides of a wheel bearing.The grease tool, according to the invention, generally avoids metal tometal contact, is self-centering with self pressurizing O-rings whichseal and protect, and typically has at least one radially delivery port,e.g., generally 2 to 20 radially delivery ports, which evenly distributethe supplied grease about the periphery of the grease tool. It is to beappreciated that the total number of radially delivery ports can varyfrom application to application. The most important aspect is that thesupplied grease is conveyed to the exterior surface of the grease toolfor radially distribution about the entire circumference of the wheelbearing.

The grease tool may be equipped with one or more pry points or a someother gripping feature which facilitates easy removal of the greasetool, following the supply of grease to a wheel bearing, in the eventthat access to a rear side of the wheel bearing is not easy or readilyaccessible.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a grease toolwhich is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and is relatively easy touse and remove from the wheel bearing.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a grease toolwhich generally self-centers itself, within the inner race of the wheelbearing to be greased, so as to expedite installation of the grease toolwithin the wheel bearing to be greased and facilitate the supplyinggrease to a wheel bearing.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a greasetool which facilitates purging or displacing of air pockets, voids,dirt, debris, and other contaminants from the bearing chamber of thewheel bearing and thereby facilitates repacking of the wheel bearingwith a fresh supply of grease.

Yet another object of the present invention is to minimize the size ofthe space defined between the exterior cylindrical surface of the greasetool, the pair of O-rings and the inwardly facing surface of the innerrace so as to minimize the amount of grease required to be supplied tothe wheel bearing to adequately grease the same and thereby avoidwasting grease.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sufficient sealclearance between the exterior outwardly facing surface of the greasetool and the radially inwardly facing surface of the inner race tofacilitate easy insertion and withdrawal of the grease tool relative tothe radially inwardly facing surface of the inner race.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide the greasetool with a built in shoulder or stop which abuts against a lateralsurface of the inner race and automatically and properly radially alignsthe one or more delivery port(s) with the gap provided between the innerraces of the wheel bearing to facilitate supplying grease thereto.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a grease tool whichpermits servicing of wheel bearings which have a wide range of axialwidth.

Another object of the invention is to provide a grease tool which canreadily be disassembled in order to facilitate cleaning thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a grease tool whichavoids forcing the pair of inner races toward one another and therebyfacilitates the supply of grease to the bearing chamber withoutcompromising the external seals of the wheel bearing.

The present invention also relates to a grease tool for mating with atleast one inner race of a dual angular contact bearing and facilitategreasing of the dual angular contact bearing, and the grease tool beingfabricated from a single unitary piece of material and comprising: acylindrical hub having an exterior cylindrical surface; a flange beingsupported adjacent one end of the cylindrical hub for limiting insertionof the grease tool into the at least one inner race of the dual angularcontact bearing; a grease fitting being attached to the grease tool tofacilitate supplying grease thereto; the grease fitting being coupled toa supply passage for conveying supplied grease to at least one greaseoutlet formed in the exterior cylindrical surface; a pair of spacedapart O-rings being accommodated by an exterior surface of thecylindrical hub and the at least one grease outlet being located in theexterior surface of the cylindrical hub between the pair of O-rings; andthe pair of spaced apart O-rings facilitate forming a pair of spacedapart grease seals, when the grease tool engages with an inwardly facingsurface of the at least one inner race of the dual angular contact, anddirecting of the supplied grease radially into a bearing chamber of thedual angular contact bearing to facilitate repacking the bearing chamberwith grease.

The present invention also relates to a method of greasing a bearingchamber of a dual angular contact bearing with a grease tool fabricatedfrom a single unitary piece of material, the method comprising:providing a cylindrical hub having an exterior cylindrical surface;supporting a flange adjacent one end of the cylindrical hub forpreventing further insertion of the grease tool into the at least oneinner race of the dual angular contact bearing; attaching a greasefitting to a trailing surface of the grease tool to facilitate supplyinggrease thereto; connecting the grease fitting to a supply passage forconveying supplied grease to at least one grease outlet formed in theexterior cylindrical surface; accommodating a pair of spaced apartO-rings on the exterior surface of the cylindrical hub, and locating theat least one grease outlet in the exterior surface of the cylindricalhub between the pair of O-rings; inserting the grease tool into the atleast one inner race of the dual angular contact bearing such that eachof the O-rings mates with the inwardly facing surface of the at leastone inner race and forms a pair of grease seals therewith; connecting agrease dispenser to the grease fitting; conveying grease from the greasedispenser along a supply passage from the grease fitting to the at leastone grease outlet located in the exterior cylindrical surface of thegrease tool between the pair of O-rings; and directing the suppliedgrease, at least partially via the pair of grease seals, through a gapin the dual angular contact bearing to facilitate repacking of thebearing chamber with grease.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate various embodiments of theinvention and together with the general description of the inventiongiven above and the detailed description of the drawings given below,serve to explain the principles of the invention. The invention will nowbe described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a leading front, top, right side perspective view of thebearing grease tool according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a trailing rear, top, left side perspective view of thebearing grease tool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view along section line 3-3 of the bearinggrease tool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross section view showing the properly positioned greasetool within the inner race of a dual angular contact bearing tofacilitate greasing of the dual angular contact bearing.

FIG. 5 is a left side elevational view of a second embodiment of thebearing grease tool according to the invention.

FIG. 6 is a trailing rear, top, right side perspective view of thebearing grease tool of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the bearing grease tool of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a right side elevational view of a third embodiment of thebearing grease tool according to the invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the bearing grease tool of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a trailing rear, top, right side perspective view of thebearing grease tool of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a leading front, top, right side perspective view of thebearing grease tool of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a right side elevational view of a fourth embodiment of thebearing grease tool according to the invention.

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the bearing grease tool of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a trailing rear, top, right side perspective view of thebearing grease tool of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a leading front, top, right side perspective view of thebearing grease tool of FIG. 12.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scaleand that the disclosed embodiments are sometimes illustrateddiagrammatical and in partial views. In certain instances, details whichare not necessary for an understanding of this disclosure or whichrender other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. Itshould be understood, of course, that this disclosure is not limited tothe particular embodiments illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be understood by reference to the followingdetailed description, which should be read in conjunction with theappended drawings. It is to be appreciated that the following detaileddescription of various embodiments is by way of example only and is notmeant to limit, in any way, the scope of the present invention.

Turning now to FIGS. 1-4, a brief description concerning the variouscomponents of the grease tool 2, according to the present invention,will now be briefly discussed. Thereafter, use of the grease tool 2 togrease a conventional wheel bearing, such as a dual angular contactbearing 4, will then be described. In the following description, theterm dual angular contact bearing 4 will be utilized while it is to beappreciated that the present invention is applicable to a variety ofdifferent wheel bearings, including dual angular contact bearings.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the grease tool 2 generally comprises an elongatesolid cylindrical hub 6. The cylindrical hub 6 is typically manufacturedfrom a solid piece of a ferrous or a non-ferrous material, e.g.,aluminum, plastic, steel, brass, etc., as an integral unitary componentfor delivery of grease to dual angular contact bearing 4 (see FIG. 4).It is to be appreciated that the overall size, e.g., diameter, of thecylindrical hub 6 of as well as its overall axial length will dependupon the size of the inner race 12 of the dual angular contact bearing 4to be greased by the grease tool 2 (see FIG. 4). Normally thecylindrical hub 6 of the grease tool 2 has a diameter which is slightlysmaller in size than the inner diameter of the two inner races 12 of thedual angular contact bearing 4 to be greased. The cylindrical hub 6 hasa diameter of between 0.75 inches and 2.50 inches, typically about 1.5inches, and has an axial length of between 0.75 and 4.0 inches,typically about 1.75 inches. It is to be appreciated, however, that theoverall size and axial length of the elongate cylindrical hub 6 canvary, from application to application, without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

As generally shown in FIG. 4, a leading front end 8 of the grease tool 2is typically provided with an annular beveled or chamfered surface 10which facilitates centering and insertion of the leading front end 8 ofthe elongate cylindrical hub 6 into the inner race 12 of the dualangular contact bearing 4 to be greased. A trailing rear end 24 of thegrease tool 2 includes a larger diameter flange 16 which has a leadingsurface 18 which functions as a stop or shoulder for precisely locatingthe grease tool 2 relative to the desired dual angular contact bearing 4to be greased, as discussed below, and thereby prevent over-insertion ofthe elongate cylindrical hub 6 into the desired dual angular contactbearing 4 to be greased. As shown, the diameter of the flange 16 issomewhat larger than the inner diameter of the inner race 12. Normallythe flange 16 of the grease tool 2 has a diameter of between 1.0 and 3.0inches, typically about 2.0 inches, and an axial (e.g., thickness)length of between 0.25 and 1.5 inches, typically about 0.75 inches. Itis to be appreciated, however, that the overall size, length andthickness of the flange 16 can vary, from application to application,without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The leading surface 18 of the flange 16 is typically provided with atleast one, more preferably two or more opposed pry cavities 20 (seeFIGS. 1 and 2). Each one of the pry cavities 20, following installationof the grease tool 2, is generally located adjacent a lateral sidesurface 22 of one of the inner races 12 of the dual angular contactbearing 4 being greased. In the event that the operator experiences anysignificant difficulty in removing the grease tool 2 from the inner race12 of the dual angular contact bearing 4 being greased, following theapplication of the grease, the operator can insert, for example, thehead of a flat head screw driver (not shown) into one of the prycavities 20 and turn or rotate the flat head of the screw driverrelative to the grease tool 2 to pry the grease tool 2 out of engagementwith the inner race 12 of the dual angular contact bearing 4 beinggreased.

The trailing surface 24 of the grease tool 2 is generally a flat surfaceand supports a grease nipple or fitting 26, e.g., a zerk fitting, whichfacilitates coupling or connection of a conventional grease dispenser(not shown), e.g., a grease gun, to the grease tool 2 in a conventionalmanner. As shown in FIG. 3, a centrally located supply port, passage ormanifold 28 is formed in the trailing surface 24 of the grease tool 2and an inlet end of the supply port, passage or manifold 28 is threadedfor at least a short distance. A mating threaded end of the greasenipple or fitting 26 is threaded into the threaded inlet end of thesupply port, passage or manifold 28 to connect the grease nipple orfitting 26 to the grease tool 2 and facilitate fluid communicationbetween the conventional grease dispenser and the supply port, passageor manifold 28. Such threaded connection, between the grease nipple orfitting 26 and the threaded inlet end of the central supply port,passage or manifold 28, facilitates removal of the grease nipple orfitting 26 from the grease tool 2 for periodic cleaning or removal ofthe grease nipple or fitting 26 in the event that the grease nipple orfitting 26 becomes damaged, malfunctions or otherwise requiresreplacement.

As shown, the supply port, passage or manifold 28 extends completelythrough the flange 16 and generally at least partially, but not all theway, through the cylindrical hub 6. It is to be appreciated that desiredmarking indicia, such as the part number, the size of the grease tool 2,etc., can be (laser) marked on the trailing surface 24 of the greasetool 2, or on any other surface of the grease tool 2, to readilyidentify the grease tool 2 and facilitate using the correct grease tool2 with the correct dual angular contact bearing 4.

A remote end of the central supply port, passage or manifold 28communicates with at least one, typically between two to eight or more,radially extending supply ports, passages or manifolds 30 fordistributing and supplying the supplied grease radially outward towardan exterior cylindrical surface 32 of the grease tool 2. When thesupplied grease reaches the exterior cylindrical surface 32 of thegrease tool 2, the supplied grease is typically uniformlycircumferentially distributed around the periphery of the exteriorcylindrical surface 32 of the grease tool 2 prior to being flowingradially into the dual angular contact bearing 4, as will be discussedbelow in further detail. The supply port, passage or manifold 28 andeach of the radially extending supply port(s), passage(s) or manifold(s)30 generally have a diameter of between 0.05 and 0.5 inches, typicallyabout 0.15 inches. If desired, the size of the supply port, passage ormanifold 28 can be enlarged.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 3, a pair of spaced apart annular channels34 are formed in the exterior cylindrical surface 32 of the cylindricalhub 6. Each one of these annular channels 34 is typically axially spacedfrom an outlet end 31, each one of the radially extending supplyport(s), passage(s) or manifold(s) 30, by a distance of between 0.5 and1.5 inches, for example, typically about 0.75 inches. As shown in FIGS.1-3, a conventional O-ring 36 is accommodated within each one of theannular channels 34 and the O-rings 36 assist with retaining thesupplied grease therebetween and channeling of the supplied greaseradially into an annular gap 40 typically formed in the inner race 12 ofthe dual angular contact bearing 4. The annular channels 34 each have awidth of between 0.01 and 0.40 inches, typically about 0.2 inches and adepth of between 0.05 and 0.300 inches, typically about 0.13 inches.Each one of the O-rings 36 is preferably manufactured from a rubbermaterial, such as buna-n, and has an outer diameter of between 0.80 and2.75 inches, typically about 1.60 inches.

As generally shown in FIG. 4, the outer diameter of the cylindrical hub6 is slightly smaller, e.g., between about 0.005 to about 0.250 of aninch, than the inner diameter of the pair of inner races 12 of the dualangular contact bearing 4 to be filled with grease so that thecylindrical hub 6 can be readily and easily be inserted into the innerraces 12 while the O-rings 36 still form a sufficient grease seal withthe inner races 12. The overall dimensions of the pair of annualchannels 34 and the diameter of the pair of O-rings 36 are selected suchthat the outwardly facing exterior surface of the pair of O-rings 36will each be compressed and have a slight interference fit, e.g., about0.001 to about 0.020 of an inch, with the inwardly facing surface of thepair of inner races 12 of the dual angular contact bearing 4 to befilled with grease. As a result of this arrangement, each one of theO-rings 36 forms a fluid tight seal with a respective one of theinwardly facing surfaces of the inner races 12 of the dual angularcontact bearing 4 so as to prevent, or minimize at the very least, anygrease from flowing past either one of those O-ring seals and therebyassist with redirecting and channeling the supplied grease radiallythrough the annular gap 40, formed between the pair of the inner races12, and into the bearing chamber 46 of the dual angular contact bearing4 to be greased for displacing of any air pockets, voids, liquid, water,dirt, debris, etc., contained therein, as will be described in furtherdetail hereinafter.

Now with reference to FIG. 4, use of the grease tool 2 to grease adesired dual angular contact bearing 4 will now be described. In orderto gain access to the dual angular contact bearing 4 to be greased, suchas a dual angular contact bearing for an all terrain vehicle (ATV), thesection of the vehicle containing the dual angular contact bearing 4 tobe greased is typically raised off the ground, or some other supportingsurface, by a conventional jack or lift to facilitate servicing of thevehicle. Thereafter, the wheel (not shown) is removed and, if necessary,the brake caliper (not shown) is also removed in order to provide accessto a wheel hub (not shown). As is conventional in the art, the wheel hubrotates within the inner races 12 of the dual angular contact bearing 4to be greased. In order to provide access, the wheel hub (not shown) isthen removed, in a conventional manner, thereby exposing and providingdirect access to at least the inner races 12 of the dual angular contactbearing 4 to be greased. Once access to the inner races 12 isestablished, the operator can then clear away any “old” grease, loosedirt, debris, etc., located on or around the inner races 12 and therebyfacilitate unhindered insertion of the grease tool 2.

After initially clearly away any old grease, loose dirt, debris, etc.,from the inner race 12, the operator then inserts the leading end 8 ofthe grease tool 2 into the inner races 12 of the dual angular contactbearing 4 until the leading surface 18 of the flange 16 of the greasetool 2 eventually abuts against the inner race 12 of the dual angularcontact bearing 4, as generally shown in FIG. 4. Once the grease tool 2is located in this position, the pair of O-rings 36 are both properlylocated on either side of the gap 40, formed between the pair of innerraces 12 of the dual angular contact bearing 4. The pair of O-rings 36are correctly positioned to form a pair of spaced apart annular sealswhich assist with redirecting the supplied grease radially toward andthrough the gap 40 formed between the inner races 12 of the dual angularcontact bearing 4. It is to be appreciated that the gap 40 must belocated within the “working range” of the grease tool 2, i.e., anywherebetween pair of annular channels 34 and the O-rings 36, in order tofacilitate the supply of grease thereto during servicing of the dualangular contact bearing 4.

Once the grease tool 2 is properly installed within the pair of innerraces 12 of the dual angular contact bearing 4, as generally shown inFIG. 4, a conventional grease dispenser (not shown) is then connected tothe grease nipple or fitting 26, in a conventional manner, in order tosupply grease thereto. As the grease is supplied by the greasedispenser, the grease flows through the grease nipple or fitting 26,axially along the supply port, passage or manifold 28 and then radiallyalong each of the at least one or more radially extending supply ports,passages or manifolds 30 through the one or more outlets 31 of thegrease tool 2 for distribution to the dual angular contact bearing 4.

Once the supplied grease reaches the exterior cylindrical surface 32 ofthe grease tool 2, the supplied grease typically first completely fillsthe space 42 located between the exterior cylindrical surface 32 of thegrease tool 2, the opposed pair of O-rings 36 and the inwardly facingsurface of the pair of inner races 12. Generally after this space 42 iscompletely filled with and slightly pressurized by the supplied grease,then the supplied grease flows radially again through the conventionalannular gap 40 formed between the pair of inner races 12 of the dualangular contact bearing 4. The O-rings 36 assist with channeling andredirecting the supplied grease radially through the gap 40, providedbetween the pair of inner races 12 of the dual angular contact bearing4, into a bearing chamber 46 of the dual angular contact bearing 4. Asgenerally shown, a plurality of ball bearings 52 are accommodated withinthe bearing chamber 46 between the inner and the outer races 12, 50 ofthe dual angular contact bearing 4.

The supplied grease applies pressure to the gap 40 which tends to causethe inner races 12 to be biased away from one another and therebyincrease the axial length of the gap 40 formed between the inner races12. As the supplied grease flows into the bearing chamber 46 of the dualangular contact bearing 4, the supplied grease tends to displace any“old grease” accommodated therein as well as any air pocket(s), water,fluid, dirt, debris, etc., contained within the bearing chamber 46 andforces the same axially past the bearings 52 and out through either oneof the opposed lateral openings 48 formed between the inner races 12 andan outer race 50 of the dual angular contact bearing 4 thereby“repacking” the dual angular contact bearing 4 with fresh grease.

The operator typically continues dispensing grease from the greasedispenser to the dual angular contact bearing 4 until the operatorfinally detects some of the newly supplied grease leaking or oozing fromeach of the opposed lateral openings 48 formed between the pair of innerraces 12 and the outer race 50 of the dual angular contact bearing 4.Once a sufficient amount of the newly supplied grease is detected asleaking or oozing from both the opposed lateral openings 48, theoperator then determines that the dual angular contact bearing 4 issufficiently filled and repacked with fresh grease and, thereafter,discontinues the supply of additional grease to the dual angular contactbearing 4 being greased.

Next, the operator typically wipes away and removes any excess greasewhich leaked or oozed from the opposed lateral openings 48. Thereafter,the operator then removes the grease tool 2 from the pair of inner races12 of the dual angular contact bearing 4. Next, the wheel hub is thenreassembled with the inner races 12 of the dual angular contact bearing4, the brake caliper (if disassembled) is reassembled with the wheelaxle and finally, the wheel is reinstalled on the wheel hub and thevehicle is lowered onto the ground for use.

Turning now to FIGS. 5-7, a second embodiment of the present inventionwill now be described. As this embodiment is very similar to thepreviously discussed embodiment, only the differences between thissecond embodiment and the previous embodiment will be discussed indetail while similar/identical elements will be given identicalreference numerals.

The major difference between the second embodiment, and the previousembodiment, is that the exterior surface 32 of the grease tool 2 isprovided with a recessed annular exterior surface 54. That is, therecessed annular exterior surface 54 has a somewhat smaller diameterthan a remainder of the exterior surface 32 of the cylindrical hub 6,e.g., a diameter which is between about 0.001 to 0.500 inches smallerthan the diameter of the exterior surface 32. The recessed annularexterior surface 54 has a width, e.g., an axial length, of between about0.01 to 1.4 inches. The recessed annular exterior surface 54 furtherassists with distribution of the supplied grease around and along theentire periphery and circumference of the grease tool 2 which ensuresthat the supplied grease is eventually conveyed radially into the dualangular contact bearing 4 around its entire periphery as well tocompletely fill the bearing chamber 46 of the dual angular contactbearing 4. As a result, the overall size of the space 42, locatedbetween the pair of O-rings 36, the inwardly facing surface of the innerrace 12 and the annular exterior surface recess 54 of the grease tool 2,is somewhat larger than the previous embodiment.

Turning now to FIGS. 8-11, a third embodiment of the present inventionwill now be described. As this embodiment is very similar to both of thepreviously discussed embodiments, only the differences between the thirdembodiment and both of the previous embodiments will be discussed indetail while similar/identical elements will be given identicalreference numerals.

The primary difference, between this embodiment and the previous twoembodiments, is that the flange 16 of the grease tool 2 is locatedbetween an enlarged head 56 and the cylindrical hub 6. According to thisembodiment, the enlarged head 56 is formed integral with the flange 16.The enlarged head 56 has a diameter which is slightly larger in size ordiameter than the diameter of both the flange 16 and the exteriorsurface 32 of the cylindrical hub 6. In addition, a pair of spaced apartribs 55, 57 are integrally formed in an outer circumferential surface ofthe enlarged head 56. Each one of these spaced apart ribs 55, 57 forms agripping feature or member for a user to assist with gripping andremoval of the grease tool 2 from the dual angular contact bearing 4,following use thereof.

According to this embodiment, the leading surface 18 of the flange 16still abuts against the inner race 12 but the flange 16 is designed tofacilitate spacing the enlarged head 56 away from the cylindrical hub 6so that the pair of spaced apart ribs 55, 57 can be easily gripped. Inaddition, the flange 16 has a large enough diameter to still function asa stop but the flange 16 is small enough to provide a relief or undercutarea to compensate for any external seal(s) of the dual angular contactbearing 4 that may present.

As with the previous embodiments, once the grease tool 2 is fullyinserted into the dual angular contact bearing 4 (as shown in FIG. 4),the leading surface 18 of the flange 16 abuts the inner race 12 whichfacilitates precise radial alignment between the at least one or moreradially extending supply ports, passages or manifolds 30 and the gap40. Once this occurs, the pair of spaced apart ribs 55, 57 of theenlarged head 56 remain sufficiently spaced from the inner race 12 andthus are easily grippable to facilitate gripping and removal of thegrease tool 2 following use thereof. That is, the operator of the greasetool 2 can readily place his/her fingers around at least one of the pairof spaced apart ribs 55, 57, which are sufficiently spaced from theinner races 12, and this assists with secure gripping and easy removalof the grease tool 2 from the dual angular contact bearing 4.

The flange 16 of the grease tool 2, according to this embodiment, has adiameter of between 0.80 and 3.0 inches, typically about 2.0 inches, andan axial (e.g., thickness) length of between 0.25 and 1.5 inches,typically about 0.75 inches. The enlarged head 56 of the grease tool 2,according to this embodiment, has a diameter of between 1.25 and 4.0inches, typically about 2.25 inches, and an axial (e.g., thickness)length of between 0.25 and 1.5 inches, typically about 0.75 inches. Itis to be appreciated, however, that the overall size, length andthickness of both the flange 16 and the enlarged head 56 can vary, fromapplication to application, without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention.

Turning now to FIGS. 12-15, a fourth embodiment of the present inventionwill now be described. As this fourth embodiment is very similar to thethird embodiment, only the differences between the fourth embodiment andthe previously discussed third embodiment will be discussed in detailwhile identical elements will be given identical reference numerals.

The primary difference between the fourth embodiment and the thirdembodiment is that the trailing surface 24 of the grease tool 2 isprovided with a counter bore 60 which is both sufficiently large as wellas being sufficiently deep so as to completely accommodate and recessthe grease nipple or fitting 26 within the trailing surface 24 of thegrease tool 2. By accommodating the grease nipple or fitting 26 withinthe counter bore 60, the grease nipple or fitting 26 is generallycompletely recessed within the grease tool 2 and thus sheltered andprotected from damage in the event that the grease tool 2 isinadvertently dropped or hit. However, the counter bore 60 is still mustbe sufficiently large enough in diameter so as permit a conventionalgrease dispense tip (not shown) to be received within counter bore 60and matingly engage with the grease nipple or fitting 26, in aconventional manner, to facilitate dispensing of grease to the greasetool 2.

As with the previous embodiments, the centrally located supply port,passage or manifold 28 is threaded (not separately labeled) for a shortdistance, e.g., ⅛ to ½ or so. The mating threaded end of the greasenipple or fitting 26 is threaded into the threaded inlet end of thesupply port, passage or manifold 28 to connect the grease nipple orfitting 26 to the grease tool 2 and facilitate fluid communicationbetween the conventional grease dispenser and the supply port, passageor manifold 28. Such threaded connection facilitates removal of thegrease nipple or fitting 26 for periodic cleaning, or removal of thegrease nipple or fitting 26 in the event that the grease nipple orfitting 26 becomes damaged, malfunctions or otherwise requiresreplacement.

Although the above description and the accompanying drawings show anddisclose various embodiments of the present invention, it is to beappreciated that one or more elements or features from one embodimentcan be incorporated into another embodiment without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention. That is, while various embodiments ofthe present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent thatvarious modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur toand be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. However, it is tobe expressly understood that such modifications and alterations arewithin the scope and spirit of the present invention, as set forth inthe appended claims. Further, the invention(s) described herein iscapable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carriedout in various other related ways. In addition, it is to be understoodthat the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of“including,” “comprising,” or “having,” and variations thereof herein,is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalentsthereof as well as additional items while only the terms “consisting of”and “consisting only of” are to be construed in a limitative sense.

The foregoing description of the embodiments of the present disclosureis presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to theprecise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possiblein light of this disclosure without departing from the spirit and scopeof the disclosure. Although operations may be described in a particularorder, this should not be understood as requiring that such operationsbe performed in the disclosed particular order shown or in a sequentialorder, or that all illustrated operations be performed in order toachieve desirable results.

Wherefore, I claim:
 1. A grease tool for mating with a pair of innerraces of a dual angular contact bearing to facilitate greasing of thedual angular contact bearing, and the grease tool comprising: acylindrical hub having an exterior cylindrical surface; a flange beingsupported adjacent one end of the cylindrical hub for limiting insertionof the grease tool into the pair of inner races of the dual angularcontact bearing; both the cylindrical hub and the flange beingfabricated from a single unitary piece of material which extends from aleading end of the grease tool to a trailing end of the grease tool;inwardly facing surfaces of both the flange and the cylindrical hubtogether define a grease supply passage extending along a portion of thegrease tool; a grease fitting being coupled to an inlet of the greasesupply passage for conveying supplied grease to and along the greasesupply passage to at least one grease outlet formed in the exteriorcylindrical surface of the cylindrical hub; a pair of spaced apartO-rings being accommodated by an exterior surface of the cylindrical huband the at least one grease outlet being located in the exterior surfaceof the cylindrical hub between the pair of O-rings; and the pair ofspaced apart O-rings facilitate forming a pair of spaced apart greaseseals, when the cylindrical hub of the grease tool engages with aninwardly facing surface of the pair of inner races of the dual angularcontact bearing, and directing the supplied grease radially through anannular gap, formed between the pair of inner races, into a bearingchamber of the dual angular contact bearing to facilitate repacking thebearing chamber with grease.
 2. The grease tool according to claim 1,wherein the grease fitting is releasably connected to the trailing endof the grease tool, and the grease fitting facilitates connection of agrease dispenser to the grease supply passage for supplying greasethereto.
 3. The grease tool according to claim 1, wherein the inlet ofthe grease supply passage is threaded, and a mating threaded end of thegrease fitting threadedly engages with the threaded inlet of the greasesupply passage to provide releasable attachment of the grease fitting tothe grease tool.
 4. The grease tool according to claim 1 in combinationwith the dual angular contact bearing, wherein a remote end of thegrease supply passage communicates with at least one radially extendingsupply passage for supplying the grease radially outward to the at leastone grease outlet formed in exterior cylindrical surface of the greasetool located between the pair of spaced apart O-rings.
 5. The greasetool according to claim 1, wherein a pair of spaced apart annularchannels are formed in the exterior cylindrical surface of thecylindrical hub, and each one of the pair of annular channelsaccommodates a respective one of the pair of spaced apart O-rings. 6.The grease tool according to claim 5, wherein each one of the pair ofannular channels has a width of between 0.01 and 0.40 inches and a depthof between 0.05 and 0.300 inches; and a diameter of the pair of spacedapart O-rings is slightly larger than a diameter of inner races of thedual angular contact bearing to be greased, but smaller than a diameterof the outer races, so as to form a fluid tight seal with the innerraces, when the pair of spaced apart O-rings respectively engage withthe pair of inner races of the dual angular contact bearing, tofacilitate repacking of the bearing chamber of the dual angular contactbearing with grease.
 7. The grease tool according to claim 5, whereineach of the pair of spaced apart O-rings is manufactured from a rubbermaterial and has an outer diameter of between 0.75 and 2.75 inches. 8.The grease tool according to claim 1, wherein a diameter of thecylindrical hub is slightly smaller than a diameter of the pair of innerraces of the dual angular contact bearing to be greased so that thecylindrical hub can be inserted into the pair of inner races while eachone of the pair of O-rings have an interference fit with the inwardlyfacing surface of a respective one of the pair of inner races of thedual angular contact bearing to be greased.
 9. The grease tool accordingto claim 1, wherein each one of the O-rings forms a fluid tight sealwith the inwardly facing surface of a respective one of the pair ofinner races of the dual angular contact bearing so as to minimize a flowof grease past either grease seal and thereby assist with directingsubstantially all of the supplied grease radially through the annulargap, formed between the pair of inner races, and into the bearingchamber of the dual angular contact bearing for displacing of any air,liquid, water, dirt, and/or debris contained in the bearing chamber. 10.The grease tool according to claim 1, wherein the leading end of thecylindrical hub is provided with an annular chamfered surface whichfacilitates centering and insertion of the leading end of thecylindrical hub into the pair of inner races of the dual angular contactbearing to be greased.
 11. The grease tool according to claim 1, whereinthe cylindrical hub has a diameter of between 0.75 inches and 2.75inches and has an axial length of between 015 and 4.0 inches.
 12. Thegrease tool according to claim 1, wherein the flange has a diameter ofbetween 1.0 and 3.0 inches, and an axial length of between 0.25 and 1.5inches.
 13. The grease tool according to claim 1, wherein thecylindrical hub and the flange are manufactured from a single solidpiece of one of aluminum, plastic, steel or brass.
 14. The grease toolaccording to claim 1, wherein the flange has at least one pry cavityformed in a surface of the flange which assist with removing the greasetool from the pair of inner races of the dual angular contact bearing tobe greased, following filling of the dual angular contact bearing withgrease.
 15. The grease tool according to claim 1, wherein an exteriorsurface of the grease tool is provided with a recessed annular exteriorsurface which has a smaller diameter, than a remainder of the exteriorsurface of the cylindrical hub, and the recessed annular exteriorsurface assists with distribution of the supplied grease around anentire circumference of the grease tool.
 16. The grease tool accordingto claim 1, wherein the flange comprises an enlarged head, a flangesurface connects the flange to the cylindrical hub, the enlarged headhas a diameter which is larger than a diameter of the cylindrical hub,but when the flange surface abuts against a first one of the pair ofinner races, the enlarged head remains sufficiently spaced away from thefirst one of the pair of inner races and so as to from a grippingfeature which facilitates gripping and removal of the grease tool fromthe dual angular contact bearing, following use thereof.
 17. The greasetool according to claim 16, wherein the enlarged head further comprisesat least one rib which is integrally formed in an outer circumferentialsurface of the enlarged head, and the at least one rib is designed tofacilitate gripping and removal of the grease tool from the dual angularcontact bearing to be greased, following use thereof; and a spacing ofthe pair of spaced apart O-rings from one another is less than a widthof the dual angular contact bearing to be greased.
 18. The grease toolaccording to claim 1, wherein the trading end of the grease tool isprovided with a counter bore which accommodates the grease fitting suchthat the grease fitting is recessed within the counter bore and therebyprotected from damage in the event that the grease tool is inadvertentlyhit or dropped.
 19. A dual angular contact bearing grease tool formating with a pair of inner races of a dual angular contact bearing tofacilitate greasing of the dual angular contact bearing, and the greasetool comprising: a cylindrical hub having an axial length which isgreater than ½ of an axial length of the inner race of the dual angularcontact bearing to be greased; a flange being supported adjacent one endof the cylindrical hub for preventing further insertion of the greasetool into the pair of inner races of the dual angular contact bearing tobe greased; both the cylindrical hub and the flange being fabricatedfrom a single unitary piece of material which extends from a front endto a trailing end of the grease tool; inwardly facing surfaces of boththe flange and the cylindrical hub together define a grease supplypassage extending axially along a portion of the grease tool; a spacingof the pair of spaced apart O-rings from one another is less than awidth of the dual angular contact bearing to be greased; a greasefitting being coupled to an inlet of the grease supply passage forconveying the supplied grease to and along the grease supply passage toat least one grease outlet formed in an exterior cylindrical surface ofthe cylindrical hub so that the supplied grease can be subsequentchanneled through a gap, formed between the pair of inner races, andinto a bearing chamber of the dual angular contact bearing to be greasedto facilitate repacking of the bearing chamber with grease; a pair ofspaced apart O-rings being accommodated by the exterior surface of thecylindrical hub and the at least one grease outlet being located in theexterior surface of the cylindrical hub between the pair of O-rings; andthe pair of spaced apart O-rings, when the grease tool engages withinwardly facing surfaces of the pair of inner races of the dual angularcontact bearing to be greased, prevent a flow of grease axially past theO-rings and facilitate forming a pair of spaced apart grease seals, withthe pair of inner races of the dual angular contact bearing, whichfacilitate directing of the supplied grease radially through a gapformed between the pair of inner races and into the bearing chamber ofthe dual angular contact bearing.
 20. A method of greasing a bearingchamber of a dual angular contact bearing with a dual angular contactbearing grease tool, the method comprising: providing the cylindricalhub with an exterior cylindrical surface; supporting a flange adjacentone end of the cylindrical hub for preventing further insertion of thegrease tool into a pair of inner races of the dual angular contactbearing; fabricating both the cylindrical hub and the flange from asingle unitary piece of material which extends from a leading end of thegrease tool to a trailing end of the grease tool; defining a greasesupply passage, via inwardly facing surfaces of both the flange and thecylindrical hub, which initially extends axially, from the trailing endtoward the leading end, along a portion of the grease tool and thenradially to the exterior cylindrical surface of the cylindrical hub;attaching a grease fitting to an inlet of the grease supply passage forconveying supplied grease to and along the grease supply passage to atleast one grease outlet formed in the exterior cylindrical surface;accommodating a pair of spaced apart O-rings on the exterior surface ofthe cylindrical hub, and locating the at least one grease outlet in theexterior surface of the cylindrical hub between the pair of O-rings;inserting the grease tool into the pair of inner races of the dualangular contact bearing to be greased such that each of the O-ringsmates with a respective inwardly facing surface of the pair of innerraces to form a pair of grease seals; connecting a grease dispenser tothe grease fitting; conveying grease from the grease dispenser along thegrease supply passage from the grease fitting to the at least one greaseoutlet located in the exterior cylindrical surface of the grease toolbetween the pair of O-rings; and directing the supplied grease, at leastpartially via the pair of grease seals, through a gap, formed betweenthe pair of inner races of the dual angular contact bearing, tofacilitate repacking of the bearing chamber with grease.
 21. A greasetool for mating with a pair of inner races of a dual angular contactbearing to facilitate greasing of the dual angular contact bearing, andthe grease tool comprising: a cylindrical hub having an exteriorcylindrical surface; a flange being supported adjacent a trailing end ofthe cylindrical hub for limiting insertion of the grease tool into thepair of inner races of the dual angular contact bearing; both thecylindrical hub and the flange being fabricated from a single unitarypiece of material which extends from a leading end of the grease tool tothe trailing end of the grease tool; a grease fitting being coupled toan inlet of a grease supply passage for conveying supplied grease to andalong the grease supply passage to at least one grease outlet formed inthe exterior cylindrical surface of the cylindrical hub; a counter borebeing formed in the flange, and the counter bore being sufficiently deepso as to recess the grease fitting within the counter bore and therebyprotected the grease fitting from damage in an event that the greasetool is inadvertently hit or dropped; a pair of spaced apart O-ringsbeing accommodated by an exterior surface of the cylindrical hub and theat least one grease outlet being located in the exterior surface of thecylindrical hub between the pair of O-rings; and the pair of spacedapart O-rings facilitate formation of a pair of spaced apart greaseseals, when the pair of spaced apart O-rings of the grease tool engagewith a respective inwardly facing surface of the pair of inner races ofthe dual angular contact bearing, to direct supplied grease from thegrease supply passage radially through an annular gap, formed betweenthe pair of inner races, and into a bearing chamber of the dual angularcontact bearing to facilitate repacking of the bearing chamber withgrease.
 22. A grease tool for mating in combination with a dual angularcontact bearing, the dual angular contact bearing comprising: a pair ofinner races with an annular gap formed therebetween; and a bearingchamber communicating with the annular gap of the dual angular contactbearing; the grease tool comprising: a cylindrical hub having anexterior cylindrical surface; a flange being supported adjacent atrailing end of the grease tool for limiting insertion of the greasetool into the pair of inner races of the dual angular contact bearing;both the cylindrical hub and the flange being fabricated from a singleunitary piece of material which extends from a leading end of the greasetool to the trailing end of the grease tool; a grease fitting beingcoupled to an inlet of the grease supply passage for conveying suppliedgrease to and along the grease supply passage to at least one greaseoutlet formed in the exterior cylindrical surface of the cylindricalhub; and a pair of spaced apart O-rings being accommodated by anexterior surface of the cylindrical hub and the at least one greaseoutlet being located in the exterior surface of the cylindrical hubbetween the pair of O-rings; when the cylindrical hub of the grease toolis inserted in the pair of inner races, each one of the pair of spacedapart O-rings engages with an inwardly facing surface of a respectiveone of the pair of inner races so as to form therewith a pair of greaseseals, and the pair of grease seals direct the supplied grease, when thegrease is supplied along the grease supply passage, radially through theannular gap and into the bearing chamber of the dual angular contactbearing to facilitate repacking of the bearing chamber with grease.